Elevation: 9,289 ft
Prominence: 149
This peak is not in the book. Published November 2020
White Mountains East is the [lower] east summit of the White Mountains complex located at the southwest corner of Copper Basin, above the Star Hope Campground. There are three summits on the White Mountains Ridge: White Mountains West (9,623 feet), Point 9440+, and White Mountains East (9,289 feet). This climb begins with White Mountains East and does a ridge traverse to cover all three summits. USGS Big Black Dome
The White Mountains (mid-ground) as viewed from the south. White Mountains West is left of center and White Mountains East is the bare hump right of center. Livingston Douglas Photo
Access
This climb begins at the Bear Canyon trailhead [(C)(3)(c) on Page 260 of the book] at the back of the Star Hope Campground, which is located at the southwest corner of Copper Basin.
South Face, Class 2
The Climb
Hike up Bear Canyon Trail/FST-062 to a shoulder crossing which immediately precedes a drop to, and crossing of, Bear Canyon Creek. Leave the trail here and bushwhack northwest then north through thick forest and blowdown in a combination of shoulders, gullies, and face sections to reach the White Mountains Ridge a short distance west of the summit of White Mountains East. Scramble northeast on the ridge crest on easy rock with scattered pines to reach the summit of White Mountains East. There was no cairn on top so I built a nice one.
White Mountains East (forested hump in dead center) as viewed from the southwest along the ridge crest. Livingston Douglas Photo
The newly-built summit cairn atop White Mountains East with the middle summit (Point 9440+) left of center and White Mountains West just right of center (partially hidden by the dead trees). Livingston Douglas Photo
Looking east along the connecting ridge with White Mountains East from the summit of White Mountains West. The middle summit (Point 9440+) is the hump in dead center. White Mountains East is forested and is to the far left. Livingston Douglas Photo
The [very] white rock of the White Mountains, best seen here from the summit of White Mountains West looking northwest. Livingston Douglas Photo
Ridge Traverse to White Mountains West, Class 2
From the summit of White Mountains East, follow the ridge crest southwest to a saddle. Continue southwest along the easy, open ridge crest to reach the top of the middle summit (Point 9440+). This point has a nice cairn atop it. Continue west along the ridge crest to reach the summit of White Mountains West (9,623 feet). The summit of White Mountains West has a modest cairn.
Additional Resources
Regions: EASTERN IDAHO->Pioneer Mountains
Mountain Range: Pioneer Mountains
Longitude: -113.95609 Latitude: 43.75211